PDP prayers answered: EC cancels Anantnag by-polls

Srinagar: The Election Commission of India on Tuesday rescinded its notification issued for Anantnag by-polls, which was scheduled to be held on May 25, till further notice, a media report said on Tuesday.

“In view of the prevailing ground situation and non-availability of sufficient security forces, the Commission is of the considered view that peaceful, free and fair poll is not feasible on May 25, as scheduled at present, though some political parties have asked for the same,” the reported quoted an EC statement as saying.

The Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti had already conveyed her suggestions to postpone the by-elections indefinitely.

People’s Democratic Party’s (PDP) candidate for Anantnag parliamentary seat Tassaduq Mufti had also expressed his views of postponing the by-elections.

In a press conference on April 10, just a day after eight people were killed by government forces in Budgam on polling day, he had said, “I appeal to the EC to postpone the elections till the situation improves.”